Dion Kaszas is an Nlaka’pamux cultural tattoo practitioner and a leader in the revival of Indigenous tattooing in Canada. He has been tattooing professionally since 2009 and started the revival of Nlaka’pamux tattooing in 2012. Dion travels to National and International events, conferences, and tattoo festivals representing Indigenous tattooing in Canada. Dion's passion for tattooing extends beyond his artistic work into the successful completion of his Masters degree in Indigenous Studies at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. His continued area of research is Indigenous tattooing, f ..read more

Anne Austin is an archaeologist whose research focuses on using human skeletal remains in conjunction with art and texts to understand ancient Egyptian culture and document medicine and disease in the past. While working in Egypt, Anne discovered the only known ancient Egyptian tattoos on a mummy with over 30 different tattoos. Anne's next research project will focus on the practice of tattooing in ancient Egypt and its potential connections to gender, religion, and medicine. Anne received her B.A. in Anthropology from Harvard University and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in the Archaeology program ..read more

Aaron Deter-Wolf is a Prehistoric Archaeologist with the Tennessee Division of Archaeology in Nashville, where his responsibilities include managing ancient Native American sites on State-owned lands and conducting archaeological excavations and research. In addition to his work in Tennessee, for the past decade Aaron has been a leading researcher in developing the archaeological study of tattooing. Those efforts include using contextual analysis and microscopic use-wear signatures to identify tattooing tools in archaeological collections, efforts to systematically document tattoos on mummifie ..read more

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of self-harm. mel is a métis, nehiyaw, nakota, saulteaux, french, and irish mother, community worker, researcher, writer, visual artist, traditional tattoo practitioner and phd student at concordia university focused on healing, decolonization, and (re)connection for Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous women. working closely with the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, mel is vice president of the board, advocating for the safety of Indigenous people as well as Indigenous representation, education, and employment. Inking of Immunity is made p ..read more

Tricia Allen is a tattooist with an extensive background in Polynesian history. Her approach to the art is unique in that she has tattooed over 8000 members of the Polynesian community, yet has an extensive academic background. She completed her Master's thesis at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in 1992 on the early practice of tattooing in the Marquesas Islands. Having completed her Master's degree in Anthropology, Allen began her doctoral research in the islands, researching the revival of the arts in the Pacific. Her work has taken her to Samoa, Aotearoa, New Caledonia, the Society Islan ..read more

Jitske Kramer is a corporate anthropologist who travels all over the world to learn from traditional healers, leaders, surprising innovators, and random passers-by. She was asked for the documentary series Patterns of Life to share her anthropological skills and perspectives while presenting the series. Jitske has a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. She wants to make sure that we listen to all voices, and use of the wisdom of a minority. Sophie Brouwer is the co-founder of Patterns of Life. She believes that the power of video is inescapable. Using visual anthropology allows us to docum ..read more

Simone is the Founder, Director, Professor of Art Therapy/Counseling and Art Education Programs, Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Alter-Muri has published and presented research on the connection between tattoos, art therapy and healing, children’s art, post-historical trauma and numerous other topics in the art therapy and psychology fields. She and Sarah do research and presentations together on the topic of Tattoos & Healing. Inking of Immunity is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Becci Owens - Associate Producer & C ..read more

Dustin is a sociologist who became a tattooer while finishing his PhD at UC Davis. He tattooed thousands of people out of an Oakland street shop and interviewed more than 50 working tattooers. While his upcoming book explains tattooing as an emotional, physical, and moral vocation, the book offers a broader statement on the risks and rewards of human intermingling. He’s calling it “Blood and Lightning” in homage to the fantastical language of his tattoo mentor, Matt Decker. Inking of Immunity is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Becci Owens - Asso ..read more

"Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg has a background and research focus primarily in forensic psychology, having completed her undergraduate degree in forensic psychology at OntarioTech. Inking of Immunity is made possible by all these people: Chris Lynn - Executive Producer & Co-host Becci Owens - Associate Producer & Co-host Mike Smetana - Associate Producer & Co-host Kira Yancey - Production Manager Find us on social media on Facebook (inking.of.immunity), Twitter (@inking_immunity), and Instagram (@inking.of.immunity ..read more

Douglas Wingate is a doctoral candidate who has has been practicing acupuncture since 2011 in Portland, Oregon and began working in the neurology department of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) hospital in 2018. He has been a licensed tattoo artist since 2015, applying acupuncture theory to tattoo placement in exploring the therapeutic potential of the tattooing process. In his practice he specializes in the treatment of neurological conditions including acute and chronic pain, stroke rehabilitation, PTSD, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries. He has lectured to practitioners ..read more